Despite letting everyone on the planet know he wants to return to the Washington Nationals next season, Adam Dunn may not get that opportunity. Word out of the nation’s capital is that the Nats are willing to let the free-agent-to-be walk this offseason because they are tired of putting up with his defensive shortcomings at first base.

Dunn is in the final weeks of a two-year, $20 million contract, and while he’s put up fantastic numbers offensively for the Nats, the guy is a designated hitter in first baseman’s clothes.

In 2009 Dunn blasted 38 home runs and drove in 105 runs, while hitting .267. He also finished with a .398 OBP and a .927 OPS. But he made 16 errors between playing first base, and both corner outfield spots.

This season so far, Dunn has hit 34 home runs, driven in 91 runs, is carrying a .268 batting average, a .363 OBP and a .916 OPS. While his offensive numbers this season have been really nice (second in the NL in home runs, sixth in OPS), Dunn has also committed eight errors while playing first base exclusively this year.

For the record, eight errors as a first baseman is awful. Dunn ranks 16th out of the 23 players who qualify for fielding percentage at first base at .993. While that might not seem too awful, remember that the 6’6, 287-pound Dunn has the range of a sloth and the agility of a continent.

The Nationals are reportedly looking to go with a cheaper option at first base and may look to add Derek Lee or Carlos Pena.

For Dunn, some team will certainly be hot on his tail this winter. One option would be the Chicago Cubs, though the White Sox have also expressed interest.

8 Responses to “Adam Dunn Looks Done With The Nationals”

THE RANGERS I GUESS WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY THE PITCHER THEY GOT SOMEWHERE THE SECOND HALF OF SEASON IF THEY CAN AFFORD LEE THEY COULD AFFORD YOU INSTEAD OF LEE YOU SHOULD THINK ABOUT THE OFFENSE LET ME KNOW IF YOU GET TO SEE THIS

I can’t tell you for sure, but being from Pittsburgh, I can all but guarantee that one of those guys worse than Dunn plays for the Pirates.

You can take that to the bank.

Side note: Dunn would be a great pickup for the Pirates this winter. Sadly, that would require the Pirates to actually make an effort to win, something Pirate fans have given up hope on a looooong time ago.

Look the yankees are going to look at Dunn, Lance Berkman isn’t the guy to be a fill in , can’t hit the American League pitching, so they will trade him and pick up Dunn, Yanks will go after Cliff Lee in the off season……….

Don is an , vexcellent hitter and RBI guy, likes DC nats, good friend with Ryan Zimmerman and a big crowd and kid favorite. The Nats should keep him. It is not his 8 errors at 1B that is the team’s main problem – it is pitching, too many errors elsewhere, poor hitting and a manager who cannot kick butt and get the best out of his players.

I am an avid Nats fan…can’t imagine the team without Adam Dunn. He is a big fan favorite and in DC that should count for a hell of a lot! Also, I have seen the errors & to me some were questionable due to the throws that were made to him. Granted he doesn’t have the agility of some of the others, but replacing his bat won’t be easy. With Strasburg out for at least a year, they better keep him if they want fans in the seats.